Contending for the throne meant taking sides—arguably the highest-risk, highest-reward political speculation during the transition of power in any kingdom.
Pick the right side, and all is well. Pick the wrong side…
After the new monarch ascends, the first to be purged are the unlucky souls.
Take Loki's side? Impossible!
Not only because it's uncertain whether Loki would even consider it, but if Thor died on Earth, it would bring endless disaster.
Loki couldn't exactly tell Asgard that he had killed his brother and successfully taken over, could he?
A king cannot have stains on his reputation.
An illegitimate ascension is a major taboo for any monarch.
And that would make Earth the perfect scapegoat.
Which means… war.
Take Thor's side?
This guy is currently exiled, his divine power stripped away. Only a ghost knows if he'll ever ascend to the throne.
In short, Earth was truly in a no-win situation this time, caught between a rock and a hard place.
Nick Fury felt as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
Slurp~ Slurp~
When he heard Rimuru drinking milk tea over the phone, he almost vomited.
If Rimuru weren't a S.H.I.E.L.D. asset and an incredibly powerful being…
Nick Fury would have thrown her into Alcatraz on the spot.
One cup of milk tea at a time, Rimuru? The fate of Earth is at stake here! Can you pay more attention?!
"Rimuru, do you understand what Thor's arrival on Earth means?"
Rimuru nodded casually.
"I know, right? It's like a coming-of-age story. A rich family has a spoiled brat who doesn't appreciate the value of money or cherish their good life, so the dad finally loses patience. He cuts off all the brat's credit cards and sends him to a remote, poor mountain area to reflect on past hardships and understand the difficulties his parents faced. It's that simple!"
"…!"
Nick Fury's blood pressure spiked. He was talking about a global crisis, the safety of humanity, and Rimuru turned it into a bedtime story.
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
"Thor is the crown prince. The next in line for the king, do you understand?"
Rimuru nodded.
"Understood! As long as he hasn't become king, he can't truly be in charge. If you want to give a gift, give it to Odin directly. But Odin probably wouldn't care anyway."
Nick Fury: "…Giving gifts? Are you serious right now?"
He cleared his throat. "Then… do you know about the Sarajevo incident?"
Rimuru blinked. Was this a test of middle school history knowledge?
"The fuse of World War I? Don't treat me like I'm history illiterate!"
Nick Fury growled, "Don't you think that right now, Thor is equivalent to Archduke Ferdinand, and Earth is the powder keg that will ignite a cosmic war?"
Rimuru shook her head. "I don't think so."
"…Oh my God. This conversation can't go on."
Nick Fury surrendered mentally.
"Why?"
"Because Loki is adopted."
"…Uh."
Nick Fury inhaled sharply, nearly suffocating.
Finally, like a woman scolding in slow disbelief, he muttered, "Why didn't you say this earlier?! Why?! I've been a nervous wreck for nothing!"
Rimuru smiled innocently. "Didn't I say it before?"
"No, you didn't!"
Nick Fury was furious. She was too malicious.
"You didn't ask!" Rimuru replied, smiling wider.
Nick Fury's brain clicked. Everything made sense now. Odin exiled Thor and threw Mjolnir down at the same time. Loki never had a chance.
"All I need to do is show goodwill to Thor and protect him until he regains his divine power."
Nick Fury felt some relief. At least that strategy was stable.
"Actually, there's no need. Just wait and see."
Nick Fury: "…What?"
"Do you think S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents can do anything? Are they going to punch him with their tiny fists?"
Stab! Nick Fury felt a metaphorical knife in his chest.
"Then what do you suggest? We can't do nothing, can we?"
"Yes. Anything you do will just cause trouble for others."
Stab! Another ten-thousand-point critical hit from Rimuru.
Nick Fury was in tears. Her tongue was too sharp.
Just then, his phone rang again.
"Hold on, I have another call. I'll take this first."
One minute later.
"It's Coulson. Ten minutes ago, a blonde man broke into the temporary New Mexico base. Exquisite combat skills—many Agents were knocked down easily. I'm ending this conversation; I'm going to see Thor."
Rimuru's eyes lit up.
Thor went to lift the hammer—Odin had entered Odin's Sleep.
Her opportunity had arrived.
Casually brushing off Nick Fury, Rimuru hung up.
She put on her mask and opened a portal to the temporary New Mexico base.
The base had just been rampaged by Thor. Many experts were injured. It was the perfect moment.
As she approached Mjolnir, Great Sage's voice echoed in her mind.
[Host has come into contact with Mjolnir. The conditions for Runic magic text deduction have been met. Do you wish to proceed?]
"Yes!"
Rimuru was ecstatic. Runic text—a power she had long coveted—was now within reach.
Whether on Earth or at Kamar-Taj, knowledge is shared. How deeply one learns and applies it depends on talent and fortune.
As the deduction continued, sparks of wisdom erupted in her mind. Runes flickered before her eyes. Her body and spirit felt sublimated.
Runic text was vast and profound. Even with Great Sage as a cheat, full comprehension would be difficult in a short time.
But if one could lift Mjolnir, one could gain Thor's power.
Rimuru would not be polite.
She reached for the hammer's handle.
Whoosh~ Hey~
"So heavy!"
Almost all her strength was useless.
Her inner truth, goodness, and beauty overflowed—and she still couldn't lift it?
Was Odin discriminating based on race?
Rimuru smiled cutely at the hammer. "Hammer bro, give me some face!"
The hammer didn't budge.
"You're the first, Meow-Meow Hammer, not to give me face!"
[Sensing Mjolnir, do you wish to use Unique Skill [Predator]? Yes/No?]
"Yes!"
In an instant, Rimuru became a mass of blue liquid, covering Mjolnir.
First, she'd scare it a bit. After all, the hammer was very sturdy.
....
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